Connecting device

Abstract: A device for connecting a user to a source of medical gas, such as for example oxygen, or a vacuum source, comprises a connecting box (1) which can be permanently connected to the source, and a connecting element (3) which can be detachably coupled with the connecting box (1) and can be permanently connected with the user. The connecting element can be coupled with the connecting box (1) in a parking position and in a working position, wherein the user is connected to the source in the working position only. The device is provided with an indication means (6) for indicating the position of the connecting element (3) in the connection box (1).

Description: The invention relates to a device in accordance with the preamble of appended claim 1. A device of this kind is known from DE-A-1 943 552. According to this document the connecting box, for example a wall connecting box, is connected with a line system provided in a hospital. The advantage of such a device is that the connecting element is connected with the connecting box in the parking position, however, there is not yet provided a connection between the user and the gas source. By a small movement from the parking position into the working position a closing valve generally accommodated in the connecting box, is opened whereby the user is connected with the gas source. In the known device a problem arises as it cannot be observed well from some distance whether the connecting element is located in the parking position or the working position, whereby undesired situations may occur. The displacement of the connecting element from the working position into the parking position is only approximately 3 mm. A displacement of this small size is not suitable for reliable indication purposes and, moreover, the displacement can only be observed from the side. The invention aims to provide a simple and efficient solution for this problem. To this end the device according to the invention is characterized in accordance with the characterizing portion of claim 1. The invention thus relates to a connecting device which has been provided with a coloured indication means which is three-dimensionally shaped and therefore may be observed from any side to observe the presence of the colour. The device is suitable for use in hospital or operating theatre environments, provides excellent three-dimensional indication, which is directly related to whichever of the working or parking positions is occupied and is mechanically and reliably operated by completely automatic means. Even a small axial displacement results in a well observable indication. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the depending claims 2 - 5. The invention will be further explained by reference to the drawings in which an embodiment is schematically shown. Fig. 1 is a schematical side view partially shown in cross section of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the connecting element is located in the parking position. Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1 partially shown in cross section, wherein the connecting element is located in the working position. Fig. 1 shows partially in cross section and partially in a side view a device for connecting a user not further shown to a neither shown source of medical gas or a vacuum source. This gas can for example be oxygen, laughing-gas or the like. The device comprises a connecting box 1 which in this case is mounted on a wall 2 of a hospital and is permanently connected to the line system mounted in the wall 2 and leading to a gas source located elsewhere in the hospital. Of course, the connecting box can be adapted to be flush mounted in the wall. The device further comprises a connecting element 3 with a hose 4 leading to the user. The connecting element 3 can be detachably coupled with the connecting box 2 by inserting a nipple 5 in an opening of the connecting box 1 which is not visible. In Fig. 1 the connecting element 3 is coupled in a parking position with the connecting box 1 wherein a closing valve accommodated in the connecting box 1 is still closed so that the user is not yet connected with the gas source. Thereby it is obtained that the connecting element 3 can be brought in a position in the connecting box 1 ready for use without directly connecting the user with the gas source. In the embodiment shown in the drawing the connecting element 3 can easily be moved from the parking position into a working position by pressing the connecting element in axial direction of the nipple 5 towards the connecting box 1 into the position shown in Fig. 2. By this axial movement the closing valve accommodated in the connecting box 1 is opened so that the user is connected with the gas source. As the movement of the connecting element 3 from the parking position into the working position is only small, it is difficult to observe from some distance in which position the connecting element 3 is located. In order to overcome this problem the connecting element 3 is provided with an indicating means 6 which in the embodiment shown comprises a pin 7 slidably received in the connecting element 3. This pin 7 projects out of the connecting element 3 at the side of the nipple 5 and is provided with a coloured head 8 at the opposite side. The pin 7 is pressed into the position of Fig. 1 by a spring 9. In this position corresponding with the parking position of the connecting element 3, the head 8 of the pin 7 is not visible in the semispherical window 10 mounted on the side of the connecting element 3 directed away from the nipple 5. When the connecting element 3 is moved from the parking position into the working position, the head 8 of the pin 7 is pressed into the window 10 so that this head 8 can be well observed through the window 10. By the semispherical shape of the window 10 and the head 8 it is obtained that the head 8 can be observed very well from each direction. Thereby, the staff can ascertain whether the connecting element 3 is located in the parking position or in the working position. It will be clear that the indicating means 6 can be made in different ways. The indicating means can for example be provided with two differently coloured indicating faces which are visible through a window in the parking position and the working position, respectively. Further, it is also possible to actuate the indicating means by the gas pressure instead of in a mechanical way as described. It is also possible to detect occupying the parking position and the working position in an optical or electronical manner and to provide a visual and/or audible indication through a suitable processing means. Finally, it is noted that the indicating means can also be accommodated in the connecting box 1, if desired. Although the connecting element is moved from the parking position into the working position perpendicular to the wall 2 in the embodiment described, it is of course also possible to use a movement mainly parallel to the wall.

Claims: Device for connecting a user to a source of medical gas, such as for example oxygen, or a vacuum source, comprising a connecting box (1) which can be permanently connected to the source, and a connecting element (3) which can be detachably coupled with the connecting box and can be permanently connected with the user, wherein the connecting element can be coupled with the connecting box in a parking position and in a working position, wherein the user is connected to the source in the working position only, and wherein an indication means (7, 8, 10) indicates the position of the connecting element (3) in the connection box (1), characterized in that the indicating means (7, 8, 10) comprises a window (10) in which a colour indication is visible, which indicating means comprises a pin (7) slidably mounted in the connecting element (3), said pin having a coloured head (8) pressed by a spring (9) away from the window (10) and moved towards the window against the action of the spring during movement from the parking position into the working position, and in that the window (10) is shaped three-dimensionally, the head (8) of the pin (7) lying fully within the three-dimensional window in the working position. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin (7) with its end opposite of the head (8) projects out of the connecting element (3) and cooperates with said end with the connecting box (1). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indication means (7, 8, 10) is provided in the connecting element (3) . Device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the indicating means (7, 8, 10) is actuated by the movement of the connecting element (3) from the parking position into the working position. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the indicating means (7, 8, 10) is actuated by the gas pressure.

Inventors: BALK ANNETTE HERMIENE, BALK, ANNETTE HERMIENE
Applicants: PORTANJE ELEKTRONIKA B V, PORTANJE ELEKTRONIKA B.V.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F16L37
IPC codes: H01R13, A61M39, F16L37